Cricket

Australian cricket legend Steve Smith has heaped praise upon former Indian captain MS Dhoni, hailing him as an unparalleled cricketing mind and exceptional leader. Smith, who played alongside Dhoni during his stint with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), described the experience as "tremendous," highlighting Dhoni's exceptional skills behind the stumps and his profound understanding of the game."There's no one better in India to have behind the stumps than MS Dhoni," Smith remarked. "The way he understands the game and the angles of the game is second to none. So look, he was a tremendous person to play with. I really enjoyed his company on and off the field."Smith also lauded Dhoni's calm demeanor and his significant contributions to his cricketing development. "He's such a chilled guy, obviously extremely busy with loads of things outside the game, but extremely chilled down to earth and a wonderful person," Smith said. "There were many occasions where MS was fantastic. You know, I really enjoyed playing with him. I enjoyed leading him as well. He certainly helped me out."Dhoni's illustrious reign with CSK came to an end when the franchise appointed Ruturaj Gaikwad as the new captain. However, despite Dhoni's departure from the leadership role, CSK has commenced their IPL 2024 campaign with remarkable victories against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Gujarat Titans (GT).Smith's admiration for Dhoni is a testament to the latter's enduring legacy in Indian cricket. Dhoni's exceptional cricketing acumen, leadership prowess, and calm demeanor have made him one of the most respected and successful captains in the history of the game.

Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) latest acquisition, Sameer Rizvi, made an unforgettable debut in the Indian Premier League (IPL) against Gujarat Titans on March 26. The 20-year-old from Meerut announced his arrival in style, smashing two sixes off Rashid Khan's first two deliveries.Rizvi's fearless approach was a testament to the faith CSK had shown in him, shelling out a hefty ₹8.4 crore for his services. Despite being a relatively unknown quantity, Rizvi's performances in domestic cricket had caught the attention of the Super Kings' management.In his first innings, Rizvi was sent in at a crucial juncture, with CSK needing to accelerate their scoring rate. Unfazed by the pressure, he displayed his power-hitting prowess, sending the ball soaring over the boundary twice.Rizvi's innings was not only a personal triumph but also a sign of CSK's willingness to invest in young talent. The franchise has traditionally favored experienced players, but Rizvi's selection suggests a shift in strategy.After the match, Rizvi expressed his gratitude to CSK for believing in him. He also revealed that he had received valuable advice from M.S. Dhoni, the legendary former India captain and current CSK skipper."M.S. bhaiya gave me a few tips on handling pressure and playing in front of the crowd," Rizvi said. "He told me to play my natural game and to focus on performance as the price tag is different for everyone."Rizvi's impressive debut has raised expectations for his future with CSK. The young batter has shown that he has the talent and the temperament to succeed at the highest level. As the IPL progresses, Rizvi will be eager to prove that he is worth the investment and help CSK achieve their title aspirations.

Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) batting coach Michael Hussey has heaped praise on newly-appointed skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, hailing him as a "smart, cricket-savvy" leader who has excelled in rotating bowlers and setting fields. Following CSK's comprehensive 63-run victory over Gujarat Titans (GT), Hussey lauded Gaikwad's tactical acumen and understanding of the game."Ruturaj has been fantastic," Hussey said. "He's very well prepared and has a clear understanding of the game. He works closely with head coach Stephen Fleming and MS Dhoni to develop tactics, and his ability to change bowlers and set fields effectively has been impressive."Hussey also commended all-rounder Rachin Ravindra for his explosive starts, noting that the Kiwi star has quickly adapted to the IPL stage. "Rachin is eager to learn and has a positive attitude," Hussey said. "He feeds off the crowd's energy and has shown great confidence in his abilities."One of the match's surprises was the cameo by 20-year-old Sameer Rizwi, who smashed two sixes in his six-ball innings. Hussey highlighted Rizwi's natural hitting ability, especially against spinners. "He has a lot of power and can hit the ball cleanly," Hussey said. "It was a bold move to send him in against Rashid Khan, but he delivered with two big hits."Hussey also praised the team's think-tank for promoting Rizwi ahead of MS Dhoni, a move that paid off with two sixes at the end of the innings. "It was a masterstroke," Hussey said. "We wanted to utilize Rizwi's power against spin, and he delivered."Hussey emphasized the team's directive to "keep pushing the game forward," especially with the introduction of the Impact Player rule. "We have extra batting and bowling options now," Hussey said. "This allows our batsmen to take risks and play aggressively, knowing they have support from the coaches and captain."

Ravichandran Ashwin, India's star spinner, has expressed his concerns about the IPL's rapid growth, stating that it has become so "huge" that cricket sometimes takes a backseat.Ashwin highlighted the challenges faced by players in managing their time between training sessions and advertisement shoots during the two-month-long competition. He reflected on the remarkable evolution of the IPL since its inception in 2008 and emphasized the demanding nature of the player's lifestyle on the road during the tournament."As a youngster coming into the IPL, I was only looking to learn from the big stars, I did not think about how the IPL would look 10 years down the line. I can say that, having been in the IPL for so many seasons, the IPL is huge," he said on the Club Prairie Fire podcast."Sometimes I wonder if IPL is even cricket, because sport takes a backstage (during IPL). It's so huge. We do end up practicing in advertisement shoots and sets! That's where the IPL has gotten to," said Ashwin, who is an important member of the Rajasthan Royals squad.The 37-year-old, who achieved the milestone of 500 Test wickets recently, commenced his IPL journey with the Chennai Super Kings. His impressive performances in the IPL played a crucial role in earning him opportunities to represent India across formats.In 2022, the IPL media rights were secured for a staggering Rs 48,390 crore for a five-year cycle, solidifying its position as the second most valuable league in the sporting world in terms of per-match value, only behind the NFL. This astronomical figure surpassed renowned leagues such as the English Premier League, NBA, and Major League Baseball.Ashwin spoke about his early days in the IPL and how the event exceeded all expectations. "No one envisaged the kind of growth that the IPL has had. I still remember a conversation I had with Scott Styris when we were both at CSK. He told me that when he was playing for the Deccan Chargers in the initial seasons of IPL, he did not think the IPL would last for more than two-three years.""Initially, there was a big influx of money," Ashwin said on the podcast hosted by former England captain Michael Vaughan and Australian great Adam Gilchrist.The IPL's profile has been further elevated by the astronomical deals secured by players during auctions. In the latest auction, Australian pacer Mitchell Starc made headlines by clinching a record deal worth Rs 24.74 crore with the Kolkata Knight Riders. This significant acquisition underscores the league's ability to attract top-tier talent and solidifies its status as one of the most lucrative and sought-after cricket tournaments globally."Look, over the years you'd think that the IPL is one tournament that is largely won at the auctions. I believe the auctions are a very important facet of this league, but the beauty of the IPL is that franchises have evolved into getting their teams right.""There's no one way to skin a cat. No one player is bigger than the team. No one slot is bigger than others. The teams invest wisely," said Ashwin who has also represented Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in the IPL.

Andre Russell, the explosive all-rounder, has come to the defense of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) head coach Chandrakant Pandit, who has faced criticism for his coaching style. Former KKR all-rounder David Wiese had labeled Pandit's approach as "militant," suggesting it led to frustration among foreign players in the team during the previous IPL season.However, Russell, a key figure in KKR's squad, offered a contrasting perspective. "We've been working with him from last year. I think when you're working with a coach for the first time, you have to make sure that you adjust to their philosophy. There have to be rules. We are professionals. So, we don't complain," Russell said during a pre-match press meet in Bengaluru."I try to do the best for this franchise. He's been doing an amazing job, and we've gotten coming back as well," he added.Pandit, known for his disciplinarian approach, took over as KKR coach before IPL 2022 following Brendon McCullum's departure. Wiese had criticized Pandit's strict and regimented style, suggesting it clashed with the mindset of experienced overseas players.Russell, however, emphasized the importance of adapting to the coach's philosophy and maintaining professionalism. "He (Pandit) is known in India as a very militant type of coach. He is very strict, very disciplinarian that type of stuff," Wiese had said on the podcast 'Hitman for Hire: A year in the life of a franchise cricketer.'"Sometimes in franchise cricket, when you have overseas guys, who've played all over the world, they don't need anyone coming and telling them how they need to behave, what they need to wear and what they need to do the whole time. So, that was tough."Despite Wiese's concerns, Russell's support for Pandit suggests that the KKR dressing room is not as divided as some may have believed. The team will be hoping to put the coaching controversy behind them and focus on performing well in the upcoming IPL season.

Suryakumar Yadav's IPL Absence Extended Due to Sports Hernia SurgerySuryakumar Yadav, the world's top-ranked T20 batter, will miss additional Indian Premier League (IPL) matches as he recovers from a sports hernia surgery. The National Cricket Academy (NCA) is closely monitoring his progress.The Mumbai Indians, Yadav's franchise, have lost their first two matches of the tournament without his presence. "Surya is making good progress and will soon be back playing for MI. However, he may have to sit out for a few more games after missing the first two," a BCCI source revealed.Despite Mumbai's struggles, the BCCI is prioritizing Yadav's health, recognizing his importance in the upcoming T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA in June. "Our primary concern is ensuring he's on track for the World T20. He will play for MI, but we can't rush him after a sports hernia surgery," the source added.Yadav, known for his wide range of shots, has drawn comparisons to South African legend AB de Villiers. He boasts an impressive strike rate of 171.55 in the T20 format.The 33-year-old has represented India in 60 T20 Internationals, scoring 2141 runs, including four centuries. Mumbai Indians will face Rajasthan Royals in their third match on Monday, their first home game of the season in Mumbai.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will face off in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match on March 29 in Bengaluru, seeking to address their respective batting woes and bolster their campaigns.RCB secured a narrow four-wicket victory over Punjab Kings, while KKR edged out Sunrisers Hyderabad by four runs. However, both teams have concerns about their top and middle-order batting.RCB's star batter Virat Kohli scored a classy fifty against Punjab, but the team's other top-order batters have yet to fire. Skipper Faf du Plessis, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, and Rajat Patidar need to step up their game.KKR's batting unit also struggled against SRH, with captain Shreyas Iyer dismissed for a two-ball duck. Venkatesh Iyer, Sunil Narine, and Nitish Rana failed to make significant contributions.In bowling, RCB's pacers Mohammed Siraj and Yash Dayal impressed against Punjab, but Alzarri Joseph has been expensive. KKR's bowling unit, led by Narine, has been more consistent, but pacer Mitchell Starc and spinner Varun Chakravarthy have not been at their best.Both teams may consider making changes to their lineups. RCB could bring in left-arm quick Reece Topley for Joseph, while KKR might give leg-spinner Suyash Sharma a chance.The match promises to be a close contest between two teams eager to improve their standings in the IPL. RCB will look to their batting lineup to provide a solid foundation, while KKR will rely on their bowling unit to restrict the opposition.

The 17th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has kicked off with a record-breaking opening day, attracting an unprecedented number of viewers. According to the host broadcaster, Disney Star, the opening ceremony and the first match drew a massive 16.8 crore viewers.The opening day also witnessed the highest-ever watch-time of 1276 crore minutes, surpassing all previous seasons. Additionally, the peak TV concurrency for an opening day reached a staggering 6.1 crore viewers, indicating the immense popularity of the tournament.Defending champions Chennai Super Kings emerged victorious in the opening match, defeating Royal Challengers Bengaluru by six wickets. The match was played in front of a packed crowd at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.The record-breaking viewership is a testament to the growing popularity of the IPL, which has become one of the most-watched sporting events in the world. The tournament has attracted a global audience, with fans tuning in from over 200 countries.The IPL's success can be attributed to several factors, including the high level of competition, the presence of world-class players, and the exciting format of the tournament. The IPL has also benefited from the rise of digital platforms, which have made it easier for fans to watch the matches live and on-demand.The record-breaking opening day viewership is a positive sign for the IPL, which is expected to continue to grow in popularity in the years to come. The tournament is a major revenue generator for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and has helped to promote the sport of cricket in India and around the world.

Shivam Dube's resurgence under the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has been a testament to the franchise's ability to unlock the potential of underperforming players. After struggling to find his footing with the Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals, Dube has flourished in CSK's batting lineup, becoming a key contributor to their success.CSK's clear role definition for Dube has been instrumental in his transformation. The team has given him the freedom to attack spin bowlers without hesitation, a strategy that has paid dividends. Last season, Dube smashed 57 sixes, including 35 against spin, the most by any Indian player in IPL history.Dube's improvement against the short ball has been another crucial factor in his success. Once a weakness, he has now become a confident player who can not only handle bouncers but also find boundaries off them. CSK batting coach Mike Hussey credits Dube's tireless work ethic for this improvement.CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad revealed that former India and CSK captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has closely monitored Dube's progress against the short ball. Dhoni's guidance and the supportive environment at CSK have played a significant role in Dube's development.AB de Villiers, who played alongside Dube at RCB, believes that the CSK environment has allowed Dube to thrive. "He never really broke free in the RCB changing room," said de Villiers. "He talks about being free in CSK, and that is the magic recipe that MSD, Gaikwad, Fleming, and all the guys from the past have set up over there."Dube's resurgence is a testament to CSK's ability to identify and nurture talent. The franchise has a long history of getting the best out of players who have struggled elsewhere, including Shane Watson, Shardul Thakur, Robin Uthappa, Ajinkya Rahane, and Tushar Deshpande.